No-lash axially movable steering column

Abstract

A variable length steering column assembly provides a telescoping polygonal tube and shaft. A spring clip is engageable with the tube and the shaft in order to eliminate any torsional lash therebetween and to provide for axial movement between the shaft and tube when the axial forces therebetween exceed a predetermined value. The spring clip is releasably connected to the tube and shaft through openings on the tube. One end of the spring clip engages the side wall of a tube opening and the other end extends through another tube opening to engage the shaft. The spring clip extends over the outer circumference of the tube and is releasably connected to the tube and shaft so that the spring clip is easily disconnected from its engaged position with the tube and shaft remaining in telescoping relation.

I claim: 
     
       1. A variable length column assembly comprising: a tube having an outer circumferential surface and an internal polygonal bore therein;   a shaft having a polygonal surface and extending into said tube polygonal bore, said shaft cooperating with said tube to provide for limited rotation therebetween; and   flexible means frictionally engaging said tube and said shaft to resiliently oppose the rotation therebetween and permitting axial movement between said tube and said shaft when the axial forces therebetween offset the frictional engagement therebetween, said flexible means extending over at least a portion of said tube outer circumferential surface and having one end frictionally engaged with said tube and the other end frictionally engaged with said shaft, said flexible means biasing said shaft to a rotated position relative to said tube.   
     
     
       2. The variable length column assembly of claim 1 in which said tube includes a pair of slots and said pair of slots are disposed on polygonal surfaces of said tube that are not opposite each other. 
     
     
       3. The variable length column assembly of claim 2 in which said flexible means extends through one of the slots to engage said shaft and said flexible means extends into the other slot to engage said tube at the side wall of the other slot in spaced relation to said shaft. 
     
     
       4. The variable length shaft of claim 1 in which said flexible means comprises a spring clip, said spring clip including substantially U-shaped bends at each end of said U-shaped bends engaging said tube and said shaft, respectively. 
     
     
       5. The variable length column assembly comprising: a tube having a polygonal bore therein and a pair of openings therethrough;   a shaft having a polygonal surface telescoping into the polygonal bore, said shaft and tube cooperating with each other to provide for torsional lash therebetween; and   releasable coupling means deflecting to extend over said tube and into said openings, said releasable coupling means having one end engaging said tube and another end engaging said shaft to resiliently oppose the torsional lash therebetween.   
     
     
       6. The variable length column of claim 5 in which the openings on said tube comprise a pair of axially elongated slots and said shaft extends into the polygonal bore past said axially elongated slots.